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Overview

Romeus went from a basketball star at Coral Glades High School in Florida to a one-year wonder as a recruit to an all-conference performer in the Big East heading into his senior season. Injuries derailed his final year, leading NFL teams to wonder how much of an investment they should make in his potential as a play-making pass rusher.

After redshirting in 2006 to learn the game -- he added 20-plus pounds of weight on a basketball-player body -- Romeus contributed immediately. He received multiple Freshman All-American honors with 41 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and four sacks in 12 games (no starts), getting national recognition for helping Pitt upset highly-rated West Virginia in his first Backyard Brawl. Romeus continued to impress as a sophomore, garnering second-team All-Big East consideration after starting 13 games, accumulating 51 tackles, 15.5 for loss, and 7.5 sacks. He also won the Sun Bowl's Most Valuable Lineman award with two sacks against Oregon State. In 2009, he made slightly fewer big plays (42 tackles, 11.5 for loss, eight sacks, three forced fumbles) but still landed on the coaches' all-conference second team.

Romeus missed most of 2010 preseason practices with back spasms, had family issues that caused him to miss the second game of the year, then decided to undergo surgery to repair his lower back. He returned mid-year, but suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in his first game back against Connecticut. Romeus returned to school for the 2010 season after failing to receive a first-round grade from the NFL Advisory Committee prior to the 2010 draft, and now two major injuries dropped his stock even further. He'll need strong offseason workouts to earn a third- or fourth-round selection in April.

Analysis

Strengths: Prototype-sized NFL rush end. Owns good (but not special) closing speed to the ball that helps him provide secondary rush when the offense can't hit its first option. Effective bull rush, able to get his hands up and arms extended to walk tackles toward the quarterback. Fairly smooth moving into coverage, could potentially move to a 3-4 linebacker with NFL coaching. Rips off blocks with his hands, shows enough flexibility to get under shoulder pads to turn the corner and is able to swim over tackles with violent hands and a jump-step. Able to knock down passes with his long arms and large hands when penetrating into the backfield. Could be a three-down player at the next level because of his leverage against the run on the weak side. Stacks tackles and disengages to contain against cutbacks. Recovers from punches, maintaining his ground and getting back into the action to catch backs coming through the hole. Good flexibility to get under pads to penetrate gaps inside or outside. Flashes pop into man's jersey to bull rush or punch and roll outside to take away bootlegs and outside runs. Upper-body strength allows him to rip the ball out of running backs or receivers' grasp while making a tackle.

Weaknesses: Good, not great, get-off at the snap as a pass rusher. Tests tackles on the edge more with his height and length than pure speed, but may have trouble doing so against veteran NFL linemen. Fails to give good effort if held up on the line. Runs with his pads high, best when going straight to the quarterback because of average change-of-direction ability; mobile passers will elude him in the backfield. Will bite on misdirection. Needs to improve defeating cut blocks. Does not stack and control ends on the edge consistently, needs to use his hands more efficiently to make plays. Could improve his consistency chasing plays; stands around too often after his teammates make initial contact.

2010 Season

Romeus, the Big East Defensive Co-Player of the Year in 2010, was hurt while rushing the quarterback during Pitt's 30-28 loss to Connecticut. He played in two games and had 7 tackles on the season.

2009 Season

Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year and Unanimous First Team All-Big East…Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award finalist…named to three All-America teams at season's end, including CollegeFootballNews.com (second team), Sporting News (third team) and Rivals (third team)...had 43 tackles, 11.5 TFLs and eight sacks…also had an INT, a fumble recovery, three forced fumbles and a blocked PAT…clinched the Notre Dame win by forcing a Jimmy Clausen fumble with 2:10 left that was recovered by Myles Caragein…also had a nine-yard TFL and blocked a PAT vs. the Irish… had career-high 3.5 sacks (five total stops) at Louisville and was named the Coaching Staff Defensive Player of the Game…had a seven-yard sack, a fumble recovery and forced fumble vs. Connecticut…had his first career INT vs. Syracuse.

2008 Season

All-Big East (second team) selection...started all 13 games and compiled 51 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery...had three blocked PATs (two vs. Rutgers and one vs. Bowling Green)...named Sun Bowl's Most Valuable Lineman after collecting two sacks (for 20 yards in losses) and four total tackles vs. Oregon State…matched career high with eight tackles and had three TFLs and a six-yard sack at Notre Dame…had five tackles and a 10-yard sack at Cincinnati…had a nine-yard sack at USF…recovered an Iowa fumble with 50 seconds to go to clinch Pitt's 21-20 win…sacked Syracuse QB Cam Dantley, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Jabaal Sheard at the Orange 34 with 8:05 left to set up Pitt's clinching TD in a 34-24 win.

2007 Season

Named a Freshman All-American by the Football Writers, CollegeFootballNews.com, The Sporting News, Rivals and Scout...played in all 12 games and compiled 41 tackles...second on the team with 11.5 TFLs...tied for second with four sacks...had four tackles and a fumble recovery in the West Virginia upset...tracked down a scrambling Pat White for a seven-yard loss, setting up a subsequent 4th-and-17 play and incomplete pass that ended WVU's chance for a comeback...against USF had three tackles, two TFLs and a 10-yard sack...had a career-high eight tackles with two TFLs and his first career sack vs. UConn...had six tackles and a 12-yard sack at Louisville...helped preserve Pitt's 20-17 victory over Syracuse by getting a six-yard sack with under 30 seconds to play...had five tackles with three TFLs at Virginia...had four tackles with a TFL and deflected pass vs. Grambling.

2006 Season

Redshirted as a true freshman.

High School

Drew recruiting attention despite playing just one year of high school football...considered a basketball prospect heading into his senior year, he went on to earn Coral Glades' Team MVP honor in football...starter at defensive end...also contributed at receiver and had five receptions for 54 yards and a TD...selected to play in the Broward County All-Star Game...played under Coach Rex Nottage.

Personal

Gregory Daniel Romeus, born 4/29/88, is the son of Sadrac and Fanie Romeus...has two brothers...enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Draft Scout Player News

05/29/13 - DE Greg Romeus had his contract terminated by New Orleans. A seventh-round pick in 2011, Romeus has been unable to recover from serious knee injuries at Pittsburgh and has spent the past two seasons on injured reserve.

06/25/12 - DE Greg Romeus cleared waivers and was placed on the Saints' reserve/injured list.

06/25/12 - DE Greg Romeus was waived/injured by the Saints Friday. Romeus was the one of the club's two seventh-round draft picks in 2011. After missing his rookie season while rehabbing from a right knee injury suffered as a college senior at Pittsburgh, he suffered a torn left ACL and MCL in the this offseason's OTA's, which required surgery.
If he clears waivers, Romeus will revert to the team's reserve/injured list.

06/14/12 - DE Greg Romeus tore the ACL in his left knee.
Vitt said Romeus' left knee gave out without contact while running downfield. A seventh-round draft pick in 2011, Romeus missed his entire rookie season while rehabbing from a torn ACL in his right knee, which he suffered during his senior season at Pitt.
The 6-5, 267-pound Romeus had a solid spring and was expected to be in the mix for a roster spot as an outside pass rusher in the scheme run by new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
Vitt said the loss of Romeus, who was expected to be a high draft pick until he tore his ACL late in his senior season, was the team's biggest setback of the spring.
"This kid has really worked hard," he said. "This kid has put in the time, the effort, and he's got to go through the whole (rehab) process again. But we're going to be there for him and support him."

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